State confirms child abuse in Brockton boy’s death

A state investigation has confirmed that child abuse played a part in the death of Chauncey Cohen, a 4-year-old Brockton boy who authorities said died under suspicious circumstances in June.

Amy Carboneau

A state investigation concluded that child abuse apparently played a part in the death of Chauncey Cohen, a 4-year-old Brockton boy who authorities said died under suspicious circumstances in June.

The Department of Children and Families confirmed on June 12 that the state had received a Chapter 51A abuse-neglect report on behalf of the boy. That report triggered the investigation.

“Allegations that were raised in the report on behalf of the child were supported,” agency spokeswoman Cayenne Isaksen said this week as the investigation concluded.

She added those allegations had nothing to do with past incidents, but concerned the circumstances surrounding his death.

“As there is a continued criminal investigation, we won’t be providing any other information that may hinder that in any way,” Isaksen added.

Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz’s office, calling the boy’s death suspicious, began an investigation after his death on June 2.

The boy’s mother, Tania Merisca, 26, told authorities her son had become unresponsive while she was giving him a bath. She drove him to Good Samaritan Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

Merisca, who described her son as “a happy boy” who loved cars, told reporters at the time that she wanted answers.

“I need to know what happened to my son,” she said then, telling reporters she had left her son with her boyfriend that night when she went to work.

Merisca couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday.

The DA’s office has declined to comment on any details about the case as it remains under investigation. As of Monday, Cohen’s autopsy was still pending toxicology reports, according to Bridget Norton Middleton, who spoke for the office.

Amy Carboneau may be reached at acarboneau@enterprisenews.com or follow on Twitter @Carboneau_ENT.

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